Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

It's less than two days to go until Budget Day 2025, and experts are outlining their predictions. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has hinted this won't be a 'lolly scramble' and plenty of cuts will have to take place. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains further, LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, journalist Clare de Lore and Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The suspension debate for the three Māori Party MPs has been postponed until June 5 in a surprise move. Do we think this is the right call? It's been revealed Auckland Council spent $3 million on communications and advertising for the green food scrap bins -  do we need to scrap them for good? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, that ended up being a fizzer, didn't it? I mean, wow, here we were. We were expecting this big debate over the Māori Party punishments to drag on for days, if not weeks, and overshadow the Budget - and the blinking thing didn't even last an hour. It got postponed to next month. What happened was, in retrospect, very simple and very obvious, just a move from the Government. It came to the Government's turn to talk about it - and up pops Chris Bishop, Leader of the House. He says - hey, I move it gets postponed, and guess what, it gets postponed because the Government has the majority in the House, so they simply voted for that, and there we go, clear air for the Budget. Most relieved, I would say, would be the Government, because it means that they do get clear air for the Budget on Thursday. Most bummed out, I would imagine, would be the Māori Party - who'd even gone to the effort of organizing a protest on the full court of Parliament. So basically, what's happened is we put this thing to bed for a few weeks because of a checkmate move from Chris Bishop. But while we've got this pause, can I just make an observation? It's quite remarkable how quickly this has gone from being a thing about the deliberate flouting of rules consistently by a party doing it as part of a PR strategy to being a thing about the National-led Government using parliamentary process to banish MPs they don't like, thereby turning us into a "banana republic". This is the kind of reportage that I'm reading at the moment. Suspending the Māori Party MPs threatens democracy. It is a drastic step that looks, on the face of it, undemocratic. Those are two different articles, by the way - it seems to be a theme that's emerging. But hang on a minute here, because it's going to take a lot to convince me that this is the case of a heavy-handed Government silencing innocent dissent - because I haven't forgotten how we got here. I haven't forgotten that the Māori Party planned to disrupt Parliament that day. They planned to disrupt it - and then they carried out that plan. I haven't forgotten that Debbie Ngarewa-Packer pointed her fingers in the shape of a gun at another MP and that the Māori Party refused to turn up to the Privileges Committee when they were asked to - and when they were supposed to. I haven't forgotten that that the Māori Party refused to apologize and accept they've done anything wrong and that the Māori Party then leaked the recommendations of the Privileges Committee, which is against the rules, and that the Māori Party co-leaders have said that they will do this again - most likely with the Regulatory Standards bill. I haven't forgotten any of that stuff. And it's remarkable to me how quickly people want to turn this into a bad Government story instead of a bad opposition story. And it's also remarkable to me how quickly people have forgotten what this party did to end up here today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 20 May 2025, Leader of the House Chris Bishop speaks to Heather after his surprise move to delay the much anticipated debate about Maori Party MPs' punishments. Former Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell defends the MPs right to haka in the house without being punished. Auckland Council has spent $3 million dollars on PR and marketing for its food scrap bins - and Heather is delighted with a campaign to get rid of them. Plus, Stacey Mowbray from concussion and brain injury charity Headway calls for a controversial Runit straight competition to be called off.   Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After years of delay, Aucklanders can expect to receive their property valuations early next month. Auckland Council says it expected to deliver the new valuations, commonly known as capital values (CVs), in the week of June 9 to June 13. Property commentator Ashley Church says it's unlikely this will make a difference in overall valuations. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The debate on Te Pāti Māori's proposed punishment has been paused until June - but it's still sparked discussion among some. Debate was set to begin today on proposed suspensions for the Te Pāti Māori MPs who did a haka during voting on the Treaty Principles Bill - before the Government moved to adjourn it. Despite this, former co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell has spoken in defence of Te Pāti Māori. "The bigger kaupapa here is around an ability for Māori to express their views in the Parliament of our land - and allow that to happen on the back of what has happened through history in Parliament." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health professionals have voiced concerns as the Runit Championship League makes its debut in Auckland. The controversial new combat sport has players running full force at each other. Stacey Mowbray, Headway CEO, says this sport presents high risks of brain injury - and the research agrees. "One thing that worries us is - have these people been fully informed? Listening to people involved in it, they didn't actually seem to realise there was a difference...we want to educate people." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tide looks to be changing for Gull as the leader of low-priced petrol offerings. Fuel-finding app Gaspy is reporting Taupo's Gull Ātiamuri has been undercut by Z-Energy's Waikaraka U-GO in South Auckland. AA Principal Policy Advisor Terry Collins says Gull paved the way with its New Zealand- owned self-service model.  He explained it has a low cost entry, with electronic payment options meaning stations don't need staff - and the fuel's there.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ACC Minister denies his comments last week played into the agency now pausing its sexual violence prevention programme.  Scott Simpson suggested he was looking at narrowing the scope of ACC responsibilities to sexual abuse victims. ACC has confirmed it's paused the nationwide rollout of Hikitia - as it aligns itself with Government plans. Simpson now says there's no connection, and he has no intention to shed ACC's responsibilities.  "All they've done is just pause this programme while they have a look at it, evaluate it and make sure that they're getting the best results for the victims of sexual violence." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Leader of the House says postponing the debate on Te Pāti Māori MPs' sanctions is the right thing to do.  Debate began today on proposed suspensions for the Te Pāti Māori MPs who did a haka during voting on the now-rejected Treaty Principles Bill.  But 20 minutes in, the Government moved to adjourn it - to leave this week free to be all about the Budget.  The opposition were blindsided. Chris Bishop says he was under no obligation to tell them.  "There'll be many a chance for people to have their say on the appropriate punishment in a couple of weeks. As it stands, the Government is in favour of the report of the Committee." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A stay - for Te Pāti Māori MPs expecting debate on possible suspension today. The Privileges Committee recommended suspensions for Rawiri Waititi, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke for a protest haka during voting on the contentious Treaty Principles Bill. But 20 minutes after the debate began, Parliament's voted to adjourn it. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls unpacked today's events - and discussed why National wanted the focus off this matter during Budget week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian's opposition has split - officially ending the Liberal-National coalition. National leader David Littleproud has confirmed his party will stand apart from Sussan Ley's Liberals, but he's leaving the door open.  The coalition had an election thrashing this month. Leader Peter Dutton lost his seat and Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese scored a second term.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds unpacks what this means for both parties going forward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sonny Bill Williams is adamant that his upcoming boxing bout against Paul Gallen will be the last time he steps in the ring. The former All Blacks and Kiwis star has finally been confirmed to fight State of Origin league enforcer Paul Gallen on July 16 in Sydney. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New figures from the Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance show Auckland Council has invested $3 million on communications and advertising alone for the green waste bins. This follows the email campaign aimed at mayor Wayne Brown opposing the $36 million spent on the green bins so far. Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance spokesperson Sam Warren says this doesn't make sense from an economic perspective. "Auckland Council spends about $36 million a year on the programme - that's a lot. And only a third of Aucklanders actually use it - and even that number seems a little high." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Negotiations to reset the UK's post-Brexit relations reached a turning point - with leaders holding talks ahead of an upcoming summit. Both regions recently reached a 12-year deal giving fishing access for EU boats in UK waters. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moody's cut the US credit rating by one notch, citing rising debt and interest payments that outpace those of similar sovereigns.  The downgrade to 'Aa1' from 'Aaa' follows a change in the outlook on the sovereign in 2023 due to wider fiscal deficit and higher interest payments, according to new data. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Commercial users of gas are likely to be hit hard by 'unsustainable' prices this year, according to sector regulators. The Gas Industry Company’s latest quarterly report said average spot prices rose sharply in the first three months of 2025 as production continued to decline and demand remained relatively constant.  Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO John Carnegie explains what this could mean for the sector. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Is Auckland Council out of line for making the owner of a Mt Eden villa remove the new windows because they violate heritage rules? Is this over the top?  Budget 2025 is due out this week - but will the Te Pāti Māori saga overshadow it?  Is Gary Lineker's recent controversy proof adults should stay off social media? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I've got a life tip for you - Grownups should not post their opinions on social media. Case in point, Gary Lineker. Now, Gary is about to announce that he's leaving his job at the BBC because of a social media post. This, in the UK, is very big news. Gary's a very popular host. He's the highest earner at the BBC because of how popular he is. He gets a salary of about $3 million New Zealand dollars, he's a former professional football player - I wager that if you ask anyone in the UK who Gary Lineker is, they'll be able to tell you. That's how well known he is. But he just torpedoed his own career by reposting a pro-Palestine video on social media that criticized Zionism and included an illustration of a rat. Now know your history on this - a rat is an image that was used in Nazi Germany to characterize Jews as vermin. You don't get away with that, you've got to know what you're doing there. And the thing about it is this wasn't even Gary's first mistake. Like with the first mistake - you could cut the guy a bit of slack. Then he posted about migrant policy, got in trouble, posted about the Tories, got in trouble, posted about politics in general, got in trouble, and he'd be given many chances to learn that having a rant on on social media gets you in trouble - but he just couldn't stop himself. When it came to posting that video and the little image of the rat, now he's gone. It is mind-blowing to me that in 2025, after 20 years of social media and of people getting in trouble, we still have people doing this. I mean, we just had 'Bussy Galore', we had Damian O'Connor last year saying Hamas was justified in what they did on October 7th to women and children, we had Penny Henare posting a picture of David Seymour with poo coming out of his eyes and a bumhole for a mouth. I mean, these are grown adults. It's like kindergarten stuff, isn't it? You'd think people would think, would learn that it's not worth it, but I guess the dopamine hit you get from people loving what you say and the narcissism - those things are strong motivators, it would transpire. Here's the thing - some people need social media for work. Influencers, for example, or the Māori Party, who appear to do all their politics on there or politicians who need it for publicity. And maybe, for them, the rules are a bit different. Maybe they just need to stick to the subject at hand, like footballers post about football and nothing else, and the  Māori Party post about politics and nothing else. And maybe don't tweet after you've been drinking. But for the rest of us, get off it. Adults do not need social media. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 19 May 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis speaks to Heather ahead of Budget Day later this week. Is she worried the debate about the suspension of Maori Party MPs will overshadow her big week? US Correspondent Jonathan Kearsley has details about former President Joe Biden's terminal cancer diagnosis. Butter has got so expensive that people are buying boxes of cheap butter from Costco. Former Costco boss Patrick Noone explains why butter at Costco is half as expensive as elsewhere. Plus, the Huddle debates whether a Mt Eden homeowner should be made to rip out his new aluminium windows because they're not compliant with heritage rules. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2025 Budget is due out this week - and the Finance Minister's feeling hopeful despite the concerns around Te Pāti Māori's antics. Prime Minister Chris Luxon made it clear earlier today that National will not make any concessions on the Privileges Committee's recommendation to suspend three Te Pāti Māori MPs from Parliament. Nicola Willis says this week is all about the Budget - which aims to address concerns Kiwis have about the cost of living. "We just need to focus on the things that will make a difference to people. We can't control Te Pāti Māori, they will do what they want to do."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The owners of a Mt Eden villa has voiced disapproval after Auckland Council demanded they remove double-glazed windows from their house to comply with heritage rules - claiming the order is 'expensive' and 'unnecessary'. The new windows have aluminium frames instead of the traditional timber frames - and open up to the outsides, rather than side upwards like the traditional sash windows. Alex Witten-Hannah, a lawyer representing the homeowners, hopes the council will take a 'common-sense' approach and back off. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bustle of butter-buying at Auckland's Costco - where it costs $10 a kilo. Stats NZ figures show the price of a block of butter has soared 65 percent in the past year. Videos on social media show shoppers piling boxes of the spread into carts at the bulk-buy supermarket. Former Costco managing director, Patrick Noone, says the store's very unlikely to try to stop bulk buying.  He explained they did it once when eggs were short - but if they can supply it, they'll let people buy as much as they can. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Associate Energy Minister says reversing natural gas policies will take time.  Production fell 20 percent in the first quarter - compared on the year before - to 22.85 petajoules.  Industry spokespeople say available gas is depleting and exploration of new fields is banned. Shane Jones says the last Government wanted the sector shut down - and faith needs to be restored it has a future.  "Since 2018 and 2019, when the curtain came down on the industry, people stopped drilling and people lost confidence - that there would be no future for fossil fuel in New Zealand." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns over extreme staff shortages in rural hospitals - as the Government announces funding to help urgent and after-hours care.  Patient Voice Aotearoa has revealed more than 20 rural hospitals across the country are looking for one or more locum doctors. The Far North's Dargaville, Bay of Islands, and Kaitaia hospitals are doctor-less - and relying on telehealth. Chair Malcolm Mulholland says it's unclear how we can staff extra services - and we have to do more to keep doctors here. "This is the problem that we've got - whether we're looking at GPs or specialists who operate within our hospitals, we simply don't have enough." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says the Budget's designed to give businesses even more confidence for the future. The Budget, released on Thursday, will put aside $65 million over four years, for loosening rules that might put off overseas investors from choosing New Zealand. Nicola Willis says we can't let debt keep blowing out forever - and would risk the economy crumbling away if we allow major extra taxes or excessive borrowing.  Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls speculates about other future changes that could be unveiled ahead of Budget day. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grieving Australian families feel 'insulted' by silence around the death of two teens in Laos last year. Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles died alongside four others staying at Nana Backpackers hostel - after accidentally drinking methanol in alcohol shots. In latest news, up to 13 people may face charges related to food and health security, eliminating evidence, and unlawful business.  Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the parents of the victims have been met with silence from Laos authorities - and they're not happy about it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been another successful weekend for Auckland FC - and all hopes are on the Kiwi side ahead of the A-League Grand Final. The Black Knights are returning home with no injury concerns from the 1-nil away win over Melbourne Victory in the first leg of the semi-final. Sportstalk host Jason pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis has come after earlier intense public scrutiny of his health fitness for the presidency.  The former US President has an aggressive form of prostate cancer, with possible treatment available, although it's not curable and has spread to his bones.  US correspondent Jonathan Kearsly says it comes at an interesting time - when his legacy is being questioned.  "Hard questions, obviously, over his health, his mental acuity while he was in office - and now, two days before a book is set to be released about those very concerns." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 16 May 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells Heather why she's begrudgingly signed off on an almost 600 million dollar subsidy for film productions. Woolworths boss Pieter de Wet has hit back at the Government, saying its the cost of GST that's making New Zealand's groceries more expensive than in Australia. Auckland FC Coach Steve Corica speaks to Heather ahead of tomorrow's playoffs game against Melbourne. Plus, the Sports Huddle talks Ryan Fox' big win this week and is First XV rugby better than Super Rugby? Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The chief suspect in Madeleine McCann's disappearance, who is currently serving a sentence for a rape conviction, is set to be released from prison in Germany later than originally scheduled. Christian Brückner, 48, was convicted of raping a 72-year-old American tourist in Portugal in 2005 and had been scheduled for release in September, but this could now be pushed back to early next year. He has never been charged in the McCann case and denies any involvement in her disappearance in 2007. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the case, the Ukrainian man charged with arson at Kier Starmer's property and more.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The trade war between the United States and China has settled down for 90 days. President Donald Trump’s agreed to reduce tariffs by 115 percent. Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the developments, Japan’s conditions on singing a trade deal with the US and China’s exports growing sharply - just not in the US. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I just want to be clear, I don't want to start a disagreement between shows here on Newstalk ZB, but I did listen to Mike Hosking this morning talking some smack, and listening to it, I felt, no, I'm gonna have to say something about this just to restore a bit of balance to this debate. In defence of instant coffee, the stuff is great. I love it. I drink it nearly every day, little flat white in the morning, little old school instant in the afternoon. I am, I would like to point out, squarely in the demographic that should be snobby about coffee, right? It should be like fresh beans from Rwanda every day. I grew up on the cafe culture, live in Ponsonby, have some of the best cafes in the country around the corner, but I still write by instinct. Now I don't want to be super unfair on Mike, because obviously he's a legend, but he does some girl math when he wants to. Instant coffee is not more expensive than your ground beans. I mean, if you look at it on the face of what you're paying at the supermarket, yep, sure, your classic Makona at $12 for 100 g does appear to be more expensive than your Havana 5 Star coffee beans at $10.50 for 200 g, cause obviously getting 200 g of the beans as opposed, as opposed to 100 g of the instant. So, you know, you're paying for twice as many beans for roughly the same price. But you and I know that's not how it works. You and I know that you're getting more cups of coffee out of that little Macona jar, cause you're only using one teaspoon at a time. You're using the beans, you're gonna have to fill up that whole double shot filter basket, and so you're gonna whip through that 200 g a whole lot faster. But the thing about it is, obviously, you know, I live in Ponsonby, OK? It's not just about price. I can afford to go and buy myself a nice little flat white. It's about the fact that it tastes good. Instant coffee tastes good in its own special watery mud way. Do you know what I mean? It's got its place in life. I don't think we need to discount it. It's kind of like you can enjoy yourself a craft beer, but then you can also want a dirty old Corona from time to time. Or you can make a virtue out of eating your Vogels and getting all that fiber going through your gut. But then sometimes you just want a nice white slice with your snag. You know what I mean? Sometimes you just want to get down in the gutter with that little instant coffee. Not everyone wants to drink an espresso at 3 in the afternoon and be pinging at 11 at night. Still, that's the place of the instant coffee. You have that at 3, it's got a little light little buzz until 7.Sleep like a baby after that. And finally, just the final point on this is. It turns out more of us actually drink the instant than the espresso. This may shock you, because we're the land of the flat white, but we are also the land that invented the instant coffee in Southland. And the last survey I saw said 44% of us drink the instant, and only 34% of us drink the espresso. And as Mike likes to say, numbers don't lie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington’s potential next Mayor is making headlines for dishing out suggestions to the current mayor. Andrew Little called on Tory Whanau to not sign any more contracts in the Golden Mile redevelopment – calling it unethical to do so before a new Mayor is elected in October. In a statement to Newstalk ZB, Whanau said candidates “do not have the mandate to demand that our Council cease progress on any democratically agreed-upon projects” Wellington Mayoral candidate Andrew Little talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One News Sports Editor Abby Wilson and Sports Journalist Jim Kayes join Heather du Plessis-Allan for the Sports Huddle. Auckland FC are facing a huge challenge this weekend as they take on the Melbourne Victory. The Sports Huddle discusses if the team’s prepared for the match. America’s Cup fans will have heard the discourse about Team New Zealandsailing in Italy helmed by an Australian. Does it make it less of a Kiwi team? First XV Rugby is set to be televised again. The Sports Huddle debate the relevance of having it return. All this and more tonight’s Sports Huddle. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC have 180 minutes to secure their place in the grand final, when they take on the Melbourne Victory tomorrow. Melbourne Victory are regarded as one of the league’s most dominant clubs, boasting four championships and three premierships. Auckland FC Head Coach Steve Corcia talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan ahead of the momentous game. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New reports show cruise ships are giving New Zealand a miss. Next season will see a 28 percent decrease in port visits nationwide. Cruise Association CEO Jackie Lloyd says cruise ship companies have a negative perception of New Zealand. “They think New Zealand’s unwelcoming, that we’re not wanting crews, and they’re reflecting that in their deployment decisions for the next couple of years,” she said. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Waitangi Tribunal is urging the Government to “immediately halt” the Act Party-promoted Regulatory Standards Bill set to be introduced to Parliament on Monday. In a report, released today, the tribunal condemned the Government not consulting with Māori when developing the legislation, thus violating its Treaty obligation. Author of the bill David Seymour talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The finance minister’s making more commitments ahead of next week’s budget. In her pre-budget announcement, the finance minister said $577 million will be injected into film and television projects over the next four years. Willis said the approach is necessary to compete with our neighbours across the ditch and further abroad. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ACC minister’s questioning whether ACC is the right outfit for people needing compensation after experiencing sexual assault. In 2023 the Court of Appeal ruled that sexual abuse survivors were entitled to compensation for the loss of potential earnings from when they were abused. Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls told Heather du Plessis-Allan it’s not clear what the minister’s intention is. “It sounds to me as if he’s looking to shift this liability to another section of government.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States Supreme Court is hearing arguments in the appeal of three orders to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to someone in the country illegally. Four federal judges have expressed why they believe President-Trump's birthright citizenship is unconstitutional. US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about what was said in the court, the latest in hip-hop mogul ‘Diddy’s’ sex-trafficking trial and the price of Donald Trump’s military parade. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors will take on the Dolphins this weekend in a bid to keep their winning streak going. Weekend Sport host Jason Pine says they’ve got it in the bag. “They’re just finding out a way to win the tight wins, whereas last year, they more often than not, didn’t win the tight ones,” he said. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Woolworth’s says Kiwi shoppers are getting a good deal from supermarkets. The supermarket giant’s blaming GST for New Zealand’s grocery prices rising higher than Australia and the UK. They say food prices could rise as much as six percent if the government was to intervene. Woolworths interim managing director Pieter de Wet talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the claims. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 15 May 2025, is the proposed punishment for Te Pati Maori MPs too harsh? Speaker Gerry Brownlee says a proposed 21-day ban is very severe and reminded MPs they can still change their minds. Labour leader Chris Hipkins clashes with Heather on the c-word debate. Meth use is skyrocketing, and it's got us asking if more workplaces should test their staff for the drug. Plus, the Huddle debates whether a 9-year old should have been excluded from his age-group rugby team for being too big. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It sounds like Gerry Brownlee thinks that the Māori Party punishment is too harsh. He started Parliament today with the Speaker's ruling and he dropped some pretty strong hints that he thinks that 21 days without pay for Debbie and Rawiri over that haka is too much. He called the punishment very 'severe' and unprecedented because up til now, the harshest punishment has been 3 days, not 21 days. He pointed out that the punishment was only carried by a narrow majority on the Privileges Committee - and that going through with the punishment as it stands will deprive the Māori Party of their ability to vote in the House for several sitting days, and that Parliament does not have to go through with it. He told them that - he said, you don't have to go through with it, Parliament can change the punishment. Now, I can't say I agree with them on this for one simple reason, and that is deterrence. Whatever the punishment is going to end up being, it has to be harsh enough to stop the Māori Party doing this again - or at least try to stop them doing this again - because this is a strategy from them. We need to see this stuff for what it is. This isn't like Julie Anne Genter losing her rag in Parliament in the heat of the moment, apologizing, and then ending up with just a censure and perhaps never doing it again. The Māori Party break the rules deliberately. This is their strategy, so you can assume that they will keep on doing it. And the reason they keep on doing it is because it gets them attention. Attention for wearing sneakers in the house, attention for wearing a cowboy hat in the house, attention for doing a haka in the house, attention for not turning up to the Privileges Committee, attention for leaking the recommendations of the Privileges Committee - the list just goes on. They say this is about tikanga - but it's not about tikanga. Sneakers are not tikanga. This is about breaking rules for attention - it's a PR strategy. 3 days without pay is not going to deter them. To be honest, I don't even know that 21 days without pay will deter them, but it surely has a better chance of doing it. And for the record, a 21-day suspension is not that wild in the UK, where our Parliament derives from. Just in the last two years, three MPs in the UK have copped suspensions of 30 days or more. In 2019, one guy was suspended for six months. Now I don't know that we will ever get order back into Parliament the way things have gone in the last few months, but if we don't try, we definitely won't. So in that context, 21 days doesn't seem overly harsh. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Privileges Committee report on Te Pāti Māori's haka last year will be debated and voted on next Tuesday, with Parliament's Speaker calling the proposed punishment 'very severe'. The Committee suggested Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke be suspended for seven days - and co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi for 21 days. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls unpacked the ongoing issue. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Golfer Ryan Fox admits his preparation for the PGA Championship - starting tonight - has been the opposite from his ideal buildup to a major. The Kiwi secured entry by winning the Myrtle Beach Classic via a playoff in South Carolina on Monday. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's leader says he would reverse the Government's pay equity changes - but that doesn't mean going back to how things were before.  Laws passed under urgency last week halted 33 existing pay equity claims, and increased the threshold for future filings. Chris Hipkins says he can't be specific about which settings Labour would reinstate if returned to Government next year.  He explained they don't want to do what National did - and again halt claims that might be 18 months down the track. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has landed in Indonesia as part of his first overseas trip since his election victory earlier in the month. Albanese is set to stay there for one full day before flying to Rome to meet European leaders and attend the pope's inauguration mass. Australian correspondent Murray Olds explains what this means for Albanese's key foreign policy priorities for his second term.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are looking noticeably left in the lurch without the Kremlin's leader.  Vladimir Putin has backed out of a face-to-face meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Turkey - and US President Donald Trump followed suit soon after.  It may have shattered other world leaders' hopes of a resolution.  Ukraine ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko says the meeting now has little point. "We clearly see that Russia is not interested in peace, Russia is interested in continuing to wage war." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.